The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-06
THE ROYAL DUKE DOCTOR
PRINCE CHARLES THEODORE,
DUKE OF BAVARIA.

Tho Purple No Bar to the Good Work
of Two People in Aleviating the Suf-
ferings of Stricken Humanity-The
Duke and His Noble Wife Devoting
Their Lives to the Service of the Blind
The Great Work Already Accom-
plished.
From Good Words.
Prince Charles Theodore, Duke of
Bavaria, is the son and heir of the traveller
and author, Maximiian who, the head of a
distinct royal line in Bavaria, bears the
title, "HerEog in Bayern, and of Ludovica,
youngest daughter of King Macmillan
Joseph, first King of Bavaria. He was
born Aug. 9, 1889, and married at Dresden
in 1866 the pious Princess Sophia, daughter
of the learned scholar, King John of
Saxony Left widower in March, 1867,
with an only child, a little girl, he married,
seven years later, the Princess Mary
Josepha, Duchess Of Braganza, Infanta of
Portugal, the third of Don Miguel's gifted
daughters.
The prevention and cure of disease have
from an early age possessed peculiar fasci-
nation for his royal highneSs, who is pre-
enlinently fitted by nature to pursue this
branch OF science. As soon, therefore, as he
could free himself from his military duties
he regularly studied and worked in hospi-
tai He was at first silently and persistently
opposed and INSTRUCTED by members of the
medical staff, until finally his indomitable
tenacity and Skill compelled them to ac-
knowledge him no dilettante but an adept
in scientific and practical medicine and sur
gerry.
BY degrees he devoted his energies to the
service of the blind. In this benefcent
cause he is most efficiently seconded by his
young and courageous wife. Married at the
early age of H. she has qualified herself I'M
der her husbands direction for the treat.
meiit Of disease; and, although an innate
Votary of cleanliness and freshness, accepts
perpetual contact with dirt and poverty and
never shrinks from the most loathsome
sights and SMELLS while be, animated with
q love of incessant work and increasing
knowledge, introduces into his hospital at
Tegernsee the latest scientific discoveries of
the healing art which he learns each year in
Munich or Vienna
At Tegernsee. some thirty miles southeast
Of Munich, the palace stands on the eastern
shore of the broad lake. environed by the
village, 1t was until 1903 a famous Bene-
dietifle monastery, with a long line of
abbots extending over 1000 years. Duke
Charles Theodore inherited the domain on
the demise of his maternal uncle, Prince
Charles of Bavaria The new possessor and
his wife-ever his true helpmate-immedi-
ately began life of hard work and philan-
thropy that at first astonished the people,
until they fully recognized the rare qualities
of the royal master and mistress.
The Duke and Duchess spend great part
of each year on this estate, carefully watch
ing over the training of their bright and hap
py children, often surrounded by other
merry little folks and their parents, all
closely-attached relatives gathered together
for the celebration of beautiful family fes-
rivals. But, while enjoying an ideal do
nestle life, they never forget their sick, to
whom they daily minister in their hospital.
1t is situated at a quarter Of an hours walk
from the palace and is served by Sisters Of
Charity.
Among the many interesting cures eff
fected by the Duke at Tegernsee may be
mentioned those of children born blind OF
course in the education of the blind, the
knowledge OF external objects is chiefly con-
veyed by touch, giving double significance
to the words of Holy Writ: 1.-The eye can
not say to the hand, l have no need of thee"
A tiny girl who had thus been trained,
when she could see was noticed by the Ouch
ess silently to contemplate then stroke
table and afterward G. chair. boy, who
had likewise received sight was unable to tell
her royal highness whether her watch was
round or square until he had felt it. At
first it was difficult for the children to walk
alone with their eyes open, especially in
going downstairs; and she would gladly
have retained them near her for some time
to study their unfolding faculties had not
the relatives naturally required the return
OF the little ones who had not hitherto be-
held their faces.
The Duke, unfortunately, suffers from
delicate chest. which compels him at
Times to seek mild climate In the spring
of 1885 it was consequently decided that
he should make stay Of some weeks at
Meran.
They had scarcely arrived when his royal
highness, although troubled with bron-
chial catarrh, finding the prescribed rest
insupportable, arranged, with the ready CO.
operation of the local authorities, for two
large adjoining rooms in the town hospital
TO be placed at his disposal He next an
no,Inced his readiness to give advice and
nd to any sufferers from diseases of the eye.
5diiSt lethargy, difidence, or self-caution
he'd back many totally or partially blind,
till the Dukes kindness and skill being test
ed, they began rapidly to stream TO Meran
from all corners Of Tyrol; the applicants,
according to regulation, resorting at stated
houIs to the Villa Aders to be inspected by
VIZ buhc, wins otlOulu piiNAl CeloO lCpulO ~,
then admitted them to his infirmary at the
hospital.
Let us now suppose ourselves privileged
to enter the Dukes wards. At $50 a. IN.
we find the two spacious, usually cheerful
southern rooms in that state of obscurity in
which they must now be kept even at the
brightest noon. In the first, the two opposite
rows of beds contain recumbent, motionless
male figures, with bandaged heads, in the
hospital dressing-gowns, made of red and
white striped ticking. The second and
dining-room has a similar arrangement of
bondaged females in white bed-gOwns. In
both wards the blackboard affixed above
each bed, announcing the case under treat
ment, almost universally has in white chalk
the word "Starrn (cataract). From want OF
space several male and female patients are
propped up with cushions in arm-chaiIs.
The Sister of Charity in charge is COM
plotting the administration OF coffee and
bread to each, when the door opens and
gentleman enters carrying case Of instru-
lnents The Duke, for il is he, quietly asks
for lighted candle which the sister holds,
and begins his round from bed To bed, I'M
handaging the eyes, carefully examining
ana dressing them. II is q noted fact that
the blind in this isolated condition feels the
need of a friend and conndant much more
than the seeing. Usually nothing is so I'M
pleasant to him as TO be quite alone, for he
then realizes to the full the difficulty of his
position, and he clings with body and soul
TO those who are genuinely kind to him.